Horehound TeaPreserve Healthy Breathing Passages! *25 tea bags

White horehound is used mainly for two complaints: digestive complaints (lack of appetite, indigestion, dyspepsia, biliary complaints and flatulence) and dry coughs (acute or chronic bronchitis). Traditionally, it is an approach in cases of menstrual... *

Great."The tea was just what I needed. ZooScape was great to work with." -- Niamh

White horehound is used mainly for two complaints: digestive complaints (lack of appetite, indigestion, dyspepsia, biliary complaints and flatulence) and dry coughs (acute or chronic bronchitis). Traditionally, it is an approach in cases of menstrual disorders and inflammations of mucous membranes and skin.

Origin: Southern Europe and Asia. The herb is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region but is now widely dispersed in most continents of the world, where it has become a common roadside weed.

Preparation and Dosage: A daily dose of 4.5 g of dried herb (or equivalent dose) is recommended. It is usually taken as a tea, but the product is also included in ready-made expectorants and digestive health products.

Active Ingredients: The main compound of interest is marrubiin (up to 1%), a diterpene lactone of the labdane type. It is thought that a precursor, premarrubiin, is actually present in the plant and that it is converted to marrubiin and further to marrubiinic acid. Other diterpenoids include marrubenol, peregrinol and vulgarol. Flavonoids (glycosides of apigenin, luteolin and quercetin), tannins and phenolic acids, betonicine, choline and small amounts of essential oil (with camphene, limonene, sabinene and other mono- and sesquiterpenoids) are present.

Health Effects: Choleretic effects are ascribed to marrubiin or marrubiinic acid (it stimulates bile secretion). Marrubiin is considered to be the main expectorant principle as it is thought to stimulate secretion of the bronchial mucosa, but the volatile oil in the plant will also contribute to the spasmolytic, expectorant and vasodilatory activities.

Status: Traditional health; Pharm.; Comm. E-H.

Horehound - also known as houndbane - is native to the Mediterranean region and is one of the bitter herbs consumed at Jewish Passover feasts. It's a bitter member of the mint family, with white, downy leaves. Commission E approved use of the above-ground parts of the plant, both fresh and dried.

Potential Health Benefits

Horehound is approved to help support loss of appetite, bloating, and flatulence. Traditionally, horehound can also be used as an expectorant and a product for bronchial coughs. In 1989, the United States banned horehound from cough suppresants, saying it was ineffective. Commission E doesn't comment on horehound in cough supportives .

Scientific Evidence

Horehound contains bitter principles and tannins. It also contains marrubinic acid, which stimulates the liver to increase production of bile used by the body to digest fats. in a 1959 study, published in Planta Medica, marrubinic acid stimulated the production of bile, which speeds digestion, in rats. In a 1996 study, a horehound alcoholic extract reduced smooth-muscle spasms of the intestinal tract, lending credence to horehound's reputation as a digestive aid.

How to Use the Herb

Dried herb and freshly expressed juice are endorsed for internal use. The daily dosages are 4.5 grams of the herb and 2-6 tablespoons of juice. The PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines & Healing Therapies additionally recommends 1/2 tablespoonful of liquid extract 3 times per day, or up to 3 cups of tea per day.

User Group Forum

Share your questions and information with the ZooScape community!

Be the first to post!

Directions

Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 tea bag for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Even though milk and a dash of sugar help enhance the flavor character on this tea, it is perfectly acceptable to consume this tea "straight-up."

Iced tea brewing method (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water]. Please note that this tea may tend to go cloudy or "milky" when poured over ice; a perfectly normal characteristic of some high quality black teas and nothing to worry about!

Cautions

At high doses, white horehound may possibly be cardioactive and have uterine stimulant effects, so care should be taken not to ingest large amounts.

Additional Information

ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 1-844-449-0444.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.Information provided at ZooScape.com relies partly on Traditional Uses. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."